Migrations and swimming capabilities of endangered pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) to guide passage designs in the fragmented Yellowstone River

Abstract

Fragmentation of the Yellowstone River is hypothesized to preclude recruitment of endangered Scaphirhynchus albus (pallid sturgeon) by impeding upstream spawning migrations and access to upstream spawning areas, thereby limiting the length of free‐flowing river required for survival of early life stages. Building on this hypothesis, the reach of the Yellowstone River affected by Intake Diversion Dam (IDD) is targeted for modification. Structures including a rock ramp and by‐pass channel have been proposed as restoration alternatives to facilitate passage. Limited information on migrations and swimming capabilities of pallid sturgeon is available to guide engineering design specifications for the proposed structures. Migration behavior, pathways (channel routes used during migrations), and swimming capabilities of free‐ranging wild adult pallid sturgeon were examined using radiotelemetry, and complemented with hydraulic data obtained along the migration pathways. Migrations of 12–26% of the telemetered pallid sturgeon population persisted to IDD, but upstream passage over the dam was not detected. Observed migration pathways occurred primarily through main channel habitats; however, migrations through side channels up to 3.9 km in length were documented. The majority of pallid sturgeon used depths of 2.2–3.4 m and mean water velocities of 0.89–1.83 m/s while migrating. Results provide inferences on depths, velocities, and habitat heterogeneity of reaches successfully negotiated by pallid sturgeon that may be used to guide designs for structures facilitating passage at IDD. Passage will provide connectivity to potential upstream spawning areas on the Yellowstone River, thereby increasing the likelihood of recruitment for this endangered species.

Identifying the Cost Function for Upstream Migration of Individual Fishes in 1-D Open Channels Based on an Optimal Control Theory

“…The migratory fish species examined in this paper are Ayu 20), 21) , Roach (Rutilus rutilus) 9) , Salmonid (Oncorhynchus nerka) 11), 18) , and pallid Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) 22) . These fish species that possess rheotaxis are selected because of data availability in the literatures and their ecological and economical importance, although some of them are not common in Japan.…”

“…The data on the Roach, Salmonid, and Sturgeon were measured at real rivers 9), 11), 18), 22) . Although not all of the data have been measured in truly 1-D open channel flows, they can be used for verifying the present mathematical model assuming that the individual fishes locally migrated in the upstream direction of a streamline created in a given flow field.…”

Swimming performance in juvenile shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum): the influence of time interval and velocity increments on critical swimming tests

“…Therefore, it may be possible that it takes a particular velocity (noted by May and Kieffer, 2017 ) and/or period of time for the fish to switch from one swimming behaviour to another. This is important as Braaten et al (2015) noted that flow regimes in fishways built along the Yellowstone River (Western USA) vary throughout (flows are 1.2–2.4 m s −1 along the ramp of the fishway and >2.4 m s −1 at the crest (top) of the fishway), and thus sturgeon may or may not be able to switch swimming behaviour to cope with the change in water velocity as they swim through the passage. Coupled with this, it was noted, but not quantified, that fish swum at 5 cm s −1 intervals appeared to spend more time swimming in the water column, compared to fish swimming at 10 cm s −1 .…”

“…biotelemetry) is now available to allow for such studies to be conducted ( Cooke et al , 2004 ). This is important as Braaten et al (2015) state that the current fishways in use along the Yellowstone River are designed for adult pallid sturgeon (112–164 cm T L ; average swimming speed in nature is 0.77–1.95 m s −1 ; flow velocity through passage is 1.2–2.4 m s −1 ) and not suitable for juveniles (average size of juvenile pallid sturgeon are 13–21 cm T L ; average UCrit is 0.1–0.25 m s −1 ; average burst swimming is 0.4–0.7 m s −1 ) ( Adams et al , 1999 ). Overall, life history stage is an important metric when evaluating swim ability and sure also be considered when constructing fishways, especially near nursery grounds.…”

“…Therefore, with global sturgeon populations on the decline as a result from anthropogenic influences such as dam construction, fishways need to accommodate local sturgeon populations. Recent studies have specifically focused on exercise physiology of sturgeons to provide data that might improve fishway designs ( Cai et al , 2013 ; Braaten et al, 2015 ; Jager et al , 2016 ; Thiem et al , 2016 ). Many of these studies focus on burst swimming, which may not be an important aspect of sturgeon physiology, as their anaerobic capabilities appear to be less than teleosts ( Kieffer et al , 2001 ).…”